Take today, for instance. When an unreasonable client began to put things in my mouth and implied that I was stupid and irresponsible, I did not rant, rave or even let out a whimper. I didn't say anything to my superior until he saw the email for himself and whistled in amazement over the audacity of it all. I then proceeded to reply the email in the nicest manner possible. I began with, "Hi, Nice to hear from you so early in the morning." And I sent it off to my superior for approval, since he's forever telling me to not be so hot-headed. With a few minor tweaks, it was sent off to the offending woman.
I was really calm. I had not shouted, as I would have in the past. I just smiled my way through. I must say it was rather exemplary, outwardly. In my head, I was thinking about how to go about extracting someone's internal organs with a blunt spoon.
Maybe I'm doing this the wrong way. But I have to be honest. She was being truly offensive, and what she said and implied was totally unfair and uncalled-for. You wouldn't blame me for writing an email that implied that she was stupid and unreasonable (I think the message got thru even with the flowery language and smileys) but these are minor things to solve and we'll move on to work together to get the best job done. Oh, have I said that she was new and I'd never met her in person but she sickens me already because she's one of THOSE types of people who insist on copying ALL their superiors in emails just to show that they're doing their work? They NEVER call because it's intangible, and every tiniest detail and complaint is via email for all to see!
Oh PUH-LEEZ. Lay off the drama already. If you're really THAT experienced a manager, you wouldn't need to stoop so low to get your recognition. I'm already a MUCH bigger person than you are, and I'm only the Senior CON.
What happened next, you ask?
1) Her own colleagues tried to extricate her from the situation she created via her own stupidity. Her boss wrote to my boss expressing concern over the flurry of emails. Another manager in another dept (also involved in the same project) wrote me to "plead" teamwork to get the job done, echoing my email - to which I told her, sure, we'll move on. I also called this other manager and told her that I meant no harm - and she understood. She also implied that this was a huge misunderstanding.
2) My boss asked for an audit trail of communications - and I thank God I've kept to the folder system so that I could see what action each person took. I gave him the entire chronology of events from 20 August to 29 September - and even from there it was plain to see that at some point, the client was not only unreasonable, but also LYING through her teeth. Gosh. The email to client is sent out to explain, and of course, to apologize for the whole mess, as well as to reiterate commitment to getting the job done. I must say I feel sorry for the client for getting such a dingbat of a manager.
I felt drugged because I was too "sedated" to react to such unreasonable and questionable characters.
My name and reputation was dragged down to the dirty ground because of one person's insecurity.
But I'm sure not drowning beneath the weight of all this. I am standing up with my head held high, because I am sure I did no wrong, and at the end of the day, my work will speak for itself.
I hold a blunt spoon in my hand.
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